Waterfarm questions

I know the waterfarm drips water from the res below but does it also make bubbles inside below without an airstone? Also im using gh flora 3 part nutes how fast can i expect growth in the waterfarm vegging with CFLs and 150w hps for flower? Anything i should know about waterfarms that would help?

It will add water movement but if it were me I would add an air stone. Get a pump with two outputs and use one side for each.

Ill add one once the roots have grown down into the water. Thanks for the reply!

Anyone know what the growth be like?

In my experience; Growth was about the same as a straight DWC. Maybe less. The thing I didn't like about running the waterfarm is it seems the roots tend to stay in the medium more than a normal DWC. Im sure it cause its being top fed and doesn't have to work as hard to get down to the reservoir. If I did it again I would only use the top drip till the roots are starting to drop into the res. IMO

NeWcS said:

In my experience; Growth was about the same as a straight DWC. Maybe less. The thing I didn't like about running the waterfarm is it seems the roots tend to stay in the medium more than a normal DWC. Im sure it cause its being top fed and doesn't have to work as hard to get down to the reservoir. If I did it again I would only use the top drip till the roots are starting to drop into the res. IMO

Click to expand...

If you drill alot more holes into the basket bucket part where the current holes are, your roots will grow into the bottom faster, and won't get bound up top. Find a drill bit with the same size holes, then make a cross or star in the bucket.

NeWcS said:

In my experience; Growth was about the same as a straight DWC. Maybe less. The thing I didn't like about running the waterfarm is it seems the roots tend to stay in the medium more than a normal DWC. Im sure it cause its being top fed and doesn't have to work as hard to get down to the reservoir. If I did it again I would only use the top drip till the roots are starting to drop into the res. IMO

Click to expand...

This is what i ha heard to do if i wantwd faster growth. So when the roots are growing into the res enough ill turn off that ol drip ring and add the airstone. Or should i keep the drip along with the bubbles? Would it make a difference?

upabove said:

If you drill alot more holes into the basket bucket part where the current holes are, your roots will grow into the bottom faster, and won't get bound up top. Find a drill bit with the same size holes, then make a cross or star in the bucket.

Click to expand...

Will do and also have any of you experimented with throwing seeds straight into hydroton? Is the success rate good?

No extra stone needed. The plants grow huge. I use 1 bottle of ferts nova bloom and get 8 to 10 zips per plant under twin 250 watt HPS check out my journal. As for extra holes I just opened up the existing ones to 3/8" dia.The more complicated you make it the more it becomes a pain in the ass.

A good tutorial of waterfarm modification
http://forum.grasscity.com/indoor-marijuana-growing/468346-general-hydroponic-waterfarm-modification-tutorial-2009-09-23-a.html

My waterfarm has performed above my expectations and that was before adding an air stone in each bucket. And you want to keep those drip rings dripping. I've noticed in my system the air lines feeding the drip rings can get some build up right where the airline meets the water at the bottom of the bucket. That build up will cause poor water flow in the ring, I use some thin wire to push through the airline to help clean it out.

I cant wait for my seeds to sprout! (If that ever happens) anyone know about the starting seeds in just hydroton? Does it work?

Scratch that the seed is split open and germed underneath the hydroton shouldnt be long now.

Read this https://www.rollitup.org/grow-journals/344359-pineapple-express-g13-labs-seed.html

GanjuhDubz said:

I cant wait for my seeds to sprout! (If that ever happens) anyone know about the starting seeds in just hydroton? Does it work?

Click to expand...

Yeah it does...BUT...you have to germinate it first, you can use the paper towel method, easiest and most effective, for me at least. Then when you have the seed popped with the tap root exposed about 1/4 inch you can place it CAREFULLY in the hydroton, preferably a snug space between some of the hydroton. Do not disturb it until it has had time to grow enough roots to establish a grip on the hydroton.